AVON, Ohio -- Seven years ago when Mike Elder took the position as head football coach at Avon High School he wanted to create a culture that was not just about winning football games but was more about developing young men.

The football team's record last season was 12 and 1. But according to some elderly community members, they're undefeated. Six football players are employed as the primary food servers in the independent living dining room at St. Mary of the Woods Retirement Community. The older folks love them.

"These boys are wonderful," said Connie Kinner, a former teacher who has resided at St. Mary's for more than six years. "They are respectful, honest, and interesting to be around."

Tyler Williams after the dinner crowd has left.Terri Czup, Special to Sun News

Elder and his coaching staff grade the football players once a month in three categories throughout the school year. They evaluate how the boys are doing academically, athletically, and socially. Their ratings are posted and are intended to help each young man get the feedback he needs in order to improve.

"Socially, we teach the kids that it's important to serve the community," said Elder. "How they treat their class and teammates, how they relate to their families, and the choices they make in and outside of the school means as much as anything to us."

Paul Duesler with St. Mary's resident Alice Monroe and her guests.Terri Czup, Special to Sun News

It seems the young men feel the same way. Paul Deusler said, "We are taught all about being dedicated. We learned values and how to be a family. That's what it's like at St. Mary's. We're all family there with the residents and with the other workers in the dining room."

"Yeah," said Kevin Maloney. "When I went there [St. Mary's] to work after playing my last game, I got a whole new family. It really was good for me and fun to go to work."

Paul Yeager added, "We're close with the residents and they're close with us. Most of the time it doesn't even feel like work. It really is a lot of fun."

The three young men agreed that being with the older folks night after night gives them a whole different perspective on life. "Talking to people who fought in World War II, who were at the game when the Indians won the World Series. Wow, it's great to hear all the stories they have," said Deusler.

Paul Yeager with former FBI agent Bill Markham and his wife Arleen.Terri Czup, Special to Sun News

Having young people around who are interested in hearing the stories is therapeutic for the elderly residents, too.

The football players didn't get these jobs by accident. Brittany Brown is the Dining Room Supervisor at St. Mary's. Her brother, Steven, plays football for Avon. She has participated as a family member in all Elder's activities that are designed to foster parent and sibling participation in the football program.

"We try to get families submerged in this [the football program]," said Elder. "We do that in a lot of ways allowing parents to get involved rather than just watching from the sidelines."

"Coach does a football 101 course for the moms before the season starts," said Brown. "This way we know much more about what's going on and it is more part of our lives."

Marty Schmidt, Dining Services Director at St. Mary's, sees the boys applying themselves and trying hard to be the best they can be. "It's very different here. The kids are doing something that's totally opposite of what they were good at on the field."

Football players are rough and tough and aggressive, Schmidt notes. "Here the boys need to be low key, kind, caring," he said. "Handling a cup of coffee is very different than holding and throwing a football."

"It's refreshing to see young men try so hard," said Schmidt. Coach Elder and their parents have done a great job.

"They help me see that it's not too late to sing and dance and be happy," said Temple.

Two young men were not available during pictures, Mike Maxwell and Mitch Tomlin.

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